Professional Documents
Culture Documents
đó, vì
vậy nếu lạm dụng sẽ gây ra sự nhàm chán. Tuy nhiên, thành ngữ rất thường được dùng, nhất là trong
văn nói. Bạn cần biết ít nhất là tất cả những thành ngữ sau để có thể hiểu được người bản xứ nói gì vì
thành ngữ có đôi khi không thể đoán nghĩa được dựa trên nghĩa đen của các từ trong đó.
A Bird In The Hand Is Worth Two In The Bush = một con chim trong tay có giá trị hơn hai con
chim trên trời
"Dan has asked me to go to a party with him. What if my boyfriend finds out?" Reply: "Don't go. A
bird in the hand is worth two in the bush."
A Fool And His Money Are Easily Parted = 1 kẻ ngốc không giữ được tiền lâu
Example: "Her husband can't seem to hold onto any amount of money; he either spends it or loses it. A
fool and his money are easily parted."
Absence Makes The Heart Grow Fonder = sự vắng mặt làm tình yêu ngọt ngào hơn
"The time we spend apart has been good for us; absence makes the heart grow fonder."
Actions Speak Louder Than Words = hành động có giá trị hơn lời nói
"Don't tell me how to do this; show me! Actions speak louder than words."
It Is All Greek to me. = Tôi chẳng hiểu gì cả. (ám chỉ chữ viết hoặc tiếng nói)
"Did you understand what he just said?" Reply: "Nope. It was all Greek to me."
Cost An Arm And A Leg = trả 1 cái giá cắt cổ, tốn rất nhiều tiền
"Be careful with that watch; it cost me an arm and a leg."
Between A Rock And A Hard Place = đứng giữa 2 lựa chọn khó khăn
"I'd like to help you but I am stuck between a rock and a hard place."
Bite Off More Than You Can Chew = không lượng sức
"I thought I could finish this report within one month, but it looks like I have bitten off more than I
can chew."
Burn Your Bridges = đốt cầu của mình, tức là tự làm mất đi cơ hội của mình
"I wish you hadn't been rude to that man just now; he is very important in this town and you shouldn't
go around burning bridges."
Burning The Candle At Both Ends = vắt kiệt sức ra để làm việc
"Ever since this new project started I have been burning the candle at both ends. I can't take much
more of it."
Cross Your Fingers = động tác được tin là sẽ đem lại sự may mắn
"Let's cross our fingers and hope for the best!"
Don't Count Your Chickens Until They're Hatched = trứng chưa nở đã đếm gà
"Next Friday I will be able to pay you back that money I owe you." Answer: "I won't becounting my
chickens..."
Don't Put All Your Eggs In One Basket = đừng bỏ tất cả trứng vào 1 rổ, tức hãy chia đều những
nguy cơ ra nhiều nơi để giảm rủi ro
"The best way to gamble is to only bet small amounts of money and never put all your eggs in one
basket."
Let Sleeping Dogs Lie = đừng gợi lại những chuyện không hay
"I wanted to ask her what she thought of her ex-husband, but I figured it was better to let sleeping dogs
lie."
Neither A Borrower, Nor A Lender Be = đừng cho mượn tiền, cũng đừng mượn tiền
"Could you lend me twenty dollars?" Answer: "Sorry, neither a borrower nor a lender be."
Never Bite The Hand That Feeds You = đừng bao giờ cắn vào bàn tay đã đút cho ta ăn
"We have been your best customers for years. How could you suddenly treat us so rudely? You
should never bite the hand that feeds you."
People Who Live In Glass Houses Should Not Throw Stones = bản thân mình không đúng thì đừng
chê người khác sai
"Look at what time it is... you are late again!" Answer: "Hey, how often are you not on time? People
who live in glass houses should not throw stones."
Put Your Foot In Your Mouth = tự há miệng mắc quai, nói lỡ lời
"Let's all be very careful what we say at the meeting tomorrow. I don't want anyoneputting their foot
in their mouth."
Rome Was Not Built In One Day = Thành La Mã không phải được xây trong 1 ngày
"It is taking me a long time to write this computer program." Answer: "Rome was not built in one
day."
Rub Salt In An Old Wound = Xát muối vào vết thương chưa lành
"Oh please, let's not rub salt in old wounds!"
Start From Scratch = bắt đầu từ đầu, bắt đầu từ con số không
"How are you going to build your business?" Answer: "Just like everyone else does:starting from
scratch."
The Pros And Cons = những mặt lợi và những mặt hại
"I've considered the pros and cons and I've decided: it is going to be expensive, but I still want to go to
college."
The Straw That Broke The Camel's Back = giọt nước làm tràn ly
"You've been rude to me all day, and I've had it. That's the last straw!"
The Writing On The Wall = tín hiệu rõ ràng báo hiệu sự thay đổi
"Can't you see the writing on the wall?"
Two Wrongs Don't Make A Right = hai cái sai không làm nên 1 cái đúng
"That boy pushed me yesterday and I am going to get him back today!" Answer: "No you are not! Two
wrongs do not make a right."
Under The Weather = không khỏe trong người, bị bệnh nhẹ do thời tiết
"What's wrong?" Answer: "I'm a bit under the weather."
When Pigs Fly = còn khuya, không bao giờ có chuyện đó đâu
"Would you ever take her on a date?" Answer: "Sure- when pigs fly!"
You Can't Judge A Book By Its Cover = áo ca sa không làm nên thầy tu, đừng đánh giá dựa trên vẻ
bề ngoài
"He dresses in plain clothing and drives an ordinary car. Who would know he is the richest man in
town? You can't judge a book by its cover!"